Impact of response evaluation for resectable esophageal adenocarcinoma - a retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: The standard treatment concept in patients with locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction is neoadjuvant chemotherapy, followed by tumor resection in curative intent. Response evaluation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy using histopathological tumor regression grade (TRG) has been shown to be a prognostic factor in patients with esophageal cancer.

Methods: We assessed the impact of the various methods of response control and their value in correlation to established prognostic factors in a cohort of patients with adenocarcinoma at the gastroesophageal junction treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Patient risk factors and adverse drug interactions in the treatment of acute gouty arthritis in the elderly: a case report.

Introduction: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids are both used in the treatment acute gouty arthritis and may adversely interact with colchicine. Gastrointestinal toxicity of colchicine is dose-dependent and can be aggravated by drug-drug and drug-patient interactions.

Case Presentation: Colonic perforation associated with second-line administration of colchicine for acute gouty arthrtitis was identified in an elderly man with several comorbidities who was also treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticostroids.

[Laparoscopic colostomy: experience in patients with ovarian or ano-rectal cancer, non-operable or with rectovaginal fistula].

Between August 1995 and May 2001 laparoscopic colostomy was successfully carried out in 23 patients with advanced ovarian cancer, inoperable carcinoma of the anorectum or rectovaginal fistulas. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications and postoperative recovery was rapid with all patients having function of the colostomy within 24 hrs and regaining their preoperative state of mobility on the second postoperative day. The laparoscopic approach allows the careful selection of the colostomy site, easy mobilisation of the colon, causing only little disruption to the intestinal function hence improving postoperative recovery.

Experience with ultrasound scissors and blades (UltraCision) in open and laparoscopic liver resection.

Objective: The authors used new ultrasonically activated scissors and blades in open and laparoscopic liver resections to investigate their capabilities.

Summary Background Data: Despite standardized techniques for liver resection, the surgical death rate ranges from 4% to 20%. Dissection of liver parenchyma may cause considerable blood loss.

The Ecumenical Institute, Cherokee, Iowa.

The mission of the Ecumenical Institute is to provide quality pastoral education through an accredited training center by certified personnel on an ecumenical, non-discriminatory basis in compliance with all local, state, and federal laws and to provide these services primarily on behalf of the people of Northwest Iowa. Special concern is directed to meeting the needs of rural communities and to serving as a public trust in all matters related to the financial support of these educational services.